1.0 Or 1.0, call to order.
The meeting of the Nursing Center Committee is May 14th, Thursday, May 14th at 2026 at 630 and 2.0 prayer, somebody want to do that or do you want me to do it?
You can do it if you'd like.
Okay.
Thank you.
Dear Heavenly Father, we ask for your guidance in helping with the agenda this evening to better serve our constituents.
In Jesus name, Amen.
We've got the Pledge of Allegiance.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All.
And 4.0 approval of the agenda.
Do I have a motion to approve the agenda?
So moved.
Second.
And Bill?
Yes.
Any discussion?
All in favor say aye, opposed, same sign, motion carries.
5.0 Review and approval of the meeting minutes for the March 12th, 2026 meeting.
Do I have a motion to approve the meeting minutes of the March 12th, 2026 meeting?
Motion to approve.
Nicole?
Second.
Bill?
There was one little error on that those minutes it was five people but it was really four for that so do we just correct that?
You'd have to ask Mrs. Baker if she would like to include that in her motion if she does then Mr. Hadley?
Yes I'll include that in the motion.
You approve that?
Yes to correct the meeting minutes from four 4 people are from 5 people to 4.
Okay.
I second that.
Okay.
All in favor, say aye.
Opposing sign, motion carries.
And 6.0 public comments.
Do we have any public comments this evening?
You want to state your name and then you have three minutes.
Okay.
So it captures it or whatever you feel comfortable.
It'll capture it if you stand, it's up to you.
Your preference.
I'll stand, I guess.
So, first of all, thank you for your public service and for your time this evening.
My name is Tracy Smith.
I am a consulting dietician with a nursing facility that is owned by Stephenson County.
I have provided high quality consulting services for the county facility since 1996, 30 years of service.
Initially, my contracts were with a food service company in the past few years, my contract was with Stephenson County.
In April, I took the opportunity to speak to the full board to make the Board members aware of outstanding invoices that have been not been paid by the County.
At that time, I indicated invoices dating back as far back as December, 2024 have not been paid.
But the total amount due to me, $8,450.52.
I have received no updates to share on the payment of those invoices.
Just to review, in October, I became aware of the sale of the building not happening in September.
Invoices could not be paid.
November, I was told there was no ruling with the judge regarding the potential sale, my invoices could not be paid.
In December, I was told the judge ruled the sale must go to referendum with no timeline on payment if the invoices could be up to two years.
In January, I was told the emergency situations had came up and my invoices again could not be paid.
In February, I was told the county was holding money to pay for a potential fine that the attorneys were hoping to wait.
Also was told by others in the community that their invoices had been paid.
In March, I was told the county was still holding the money for the potential fine, but I could offer a settlement.
A settlement was offered with a March 31st deadline, but as far as I know, it was not shared with the Finance Community Board.
In April, I was again told the county was reserving funds for a potential fine and my invoices could not be paid.
According to the Treasurer's Report dated April 2026, it reflects that there is $56,424.51 left in the Nursing Home Fund, yet my invoices are not being paid.
According to the approved payment prioritization of outstanding vendor claims for the Nursing Center document that went to the Finance Committee on March 16th, my invoices along with several and several other vendors are scheduled for, quote, pay next question mark, end quote.
I am not aware of the prioritization practices of the County regarding the payment of these invoices.
Is anybody in this room aware of the prioritization practices used by the County?
I feel this needs to be public information.
The public should be given full disclosure of the prioritization process.
Small local vendors like myself and several others that have not been paid should be at the top of that list.
Thank you for your time.
We appreciate it.
Thank you.
Is anybody else?
Any comments?
Now 7.0 reports to a committee from the Freeport Nursing Center.
Monica?
So my report, my report that I sent says that we have 74 residents, but today we end at 80.
Carol and our admissions director has done an amazing job filling the building.
We continue to monitor census trends and admission opportunities.
All of our POCs for our annual life safety have been submitted and there's a crew, they are working on emergency lighting for the building.
Otherwise, we continue to monitor staffing levels to ensure adequate coverage and leadership offerings focused on recruitment, retention, and staff morale.
Corporate continues to be a huge guiding force for all departments in the building.
They are always only a phone call away.
They're in the building all the time.
I feel very blessed to work for them.
I think they put the residents first.
I think that it was a very good decision to have them take over.
They have done a maiden job, I think.
And I don't really have anything else.
I mean, we're doing great.
Is there any questions?
Are they done with re-viling or whatever they're doing out there?
Are they done with that?
I don't think so.
I think they've taken a pause.
Okay, okay.
This is why I asked, I was trying to wait until they do get done, because I like to come out and visit.
But here lately, I've been running into some conversation.
I haven't been over here.
Some people that works out there are not too happy with how things are going.
Have you, have anyone, have you, have the union contacted, all things with the union?
No word.
Okay.
No word whatsoever.
Okay.
Can I ask a question off of his, the contract expired, was it in 25, December of 25, union contract?
March of 26.26.
That's something that we've been looking at because what the paperwork says is that the contract was done in March, but then it says without either party sending a notice of a cancellation, it just continues annually then.
Sure, under the original terms.
So that's something that I think is being and looked at.
Okay.
Any other questions?
Agency hours?
Zero.
Okay.
Good.
Really?
Yes.
Wow.
That's got to be at the first.
For like the last couple of weeks.
Wow.
That's great.
Okay.
Thank you for your speech.
8.0 Old business, there's none.
9.0, No business, there's none.
10.0, Adjournment.
Do I have a motion to adjourn?
Motion to adjourn.
Bill.
Second.
Second, Nicole.
All in favor?
Aye.
Motion carries.
Now the next meeting is June 11th.
Actually, you guys don't do that either, do you?
We should.
Okay.
June 11th at 6.30.
Sounds good.
Thank you.